“Never.” I shake my head, feeling this heatwave pulsing through me, pushing the fear aside.
I’m not just scared for my life anymore.
Now?
I’m pissed.
18
No Cold Feet (Ridge)
I close Faulk’s latest email attachments and lean back in my chair.
Had I known how deep, dark, and dangerous Grace and Nelson’s situation was when I first met them, would I have gotten involved? There was no way I could’ve known. Grace doesn’t even know everything. Still doesn’t.
My answer hasn’t changed over the past few days we’ve been lying low, time passing by the melting snow under a sudden warmth with a whiff of spring.
Fuck yes, I would’ve gotten involved.
It’s becoming harder by the hour to imagine my life without this chapter, and without this woman.
Of course it’s insane.
Of course I know how it sounds.
Of course I might be absolutely goddamn punch-drunk on the hottest wall-climbing sex of my life.
And, yeah, of course it’s so reckless I’ll probably earn a lifetime of dirty looks from Tobin if he ever figures out what’s brewing in my head.
I don’t care.
Right now, I’m fixing to shred Grendal and his henchmen with my bare hands to give Grace a second chance—one where she stays in Dallas, if that’s what she decides.
Huffing out a breath, I stand, then walk out of my office.
Our conversation from the drive home the other day sticks in my head, how little she knew about everything I told her. I still don’t know everything I need to, and it’s high time I do.
Grace went over to see her father this morning, and as far as I know, she’s still there.
I don’t want to set Nelson’s health back, but I need to know more, so I can pull Faulk together with the rest of the guys. Get a solid plan in place. End this fuckery once and for all.
I’ve told Grace and Nelson that I already have a plan.
I haven’t lied, I have contingencies for defending the ranch.
Still, they’re a far cry from a real tactical blueprint involving the right crew when there’s so little to go on.
Not yet.
Grace is sitting in the bedroom, talking with her dad when I enter the cabin.
“How’s he doing this afternoon?” I ask Jackie.
“Considering how much he fussed over lunch, I’d say pretty well. He’s making a wonderful recovery, but, as I have to keep reminding him…Nelson still has a ways to go. He needs to take it easy so there aren’t any setbacks.”
I’ve never really wondered before, but ask, “Are you a nurse at the hospital when you aren’t doing this home care thing?”
“No. I only do these jobs to keep my license active and save up for vacations. I retired a few years ago so I could take care of my grandson when my daughter-in-law—well, former daughter-in-law—ran off to become a model.” She shakes her head. “That didn’t work out too well. However, my son did find himself a lovely new woman and married her. My grandson is now in school, so they don’t need me as much as they used to.” Smiling, she continues. “I live with them. That’s why I was ready to rock and roll, as long as you need me.”
“Glad it’s working for you.” There’s another reason why I’m damn glad she’s here, besides taking care of Nelson. Jackie’s presence moved Grace into the house. “What do you think, then? Maybe two, three more weeks before he’s able to get around freely again?” I ask.
“That was Dr. Abrams’ assessment when she checked in on him last night. I agree with her; Nelson should be doing very well by then.” She covers the side of her face closest to Nelson’s room and leans in, whispering, “Don’t let him off the leash too soon if you can help it, Ridge. He’s a grumpy old man, and he’s already making big plans for Montana, dreaming about fishing trips.”
I smile. “Will do, Jackie. Let’s plan on you sticking around a little while longer.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean he’d even need me that long,” she says. “Not every single day, I mean.”
“Are you needed elsewhere?”
“No, I wouldn’t mind staying, but…I don’t want you thinking I was trying to stretch out this job for money. I know who you are, I heard all the fuss in town about your big wedding plans. Even if your bank account looks nice and plump, you’ve got enough on your plate. No need to worry about an old nurse bilking you out of a few dollars. He won’t need a babysitter for three more full weeks, I assure you.”
“Jackie…”
I’m actually at a loss for words. I’m genuinely shocked nobody’s tried to take advantage of me even once since landing in North Dakota.
Hell, it was a near monthly occurrence back in L.A.
Tobin spent a few hours every week sorting my mail to filter out the obvious grifters and investment inquiries from half-baked entrepreneurs down in Silicon Valley, plus outright scammers.